2019 Ram 6.4 drivers

dodge guy wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I took mine in before it started to misfire (didn't even throw any codes) but it was ticking. The tech claimed there was no damage to the cam...
I had three lifters going bad, none on the MDS cylinders.
It's been nearly 20K miles and it hasn't had any other failure.

Yep. If your diligent about your vehicle, then failure aren't that bad.

I credit my wife although I got it in asap. I have the dreaded CHS (can't hear s...) and had no idea it was ticking. She told me about it and I could barely make it out if I stuck my head down next to the wheel opening.
This could also explain how my Cummins has gotten more quiet over the years.

ScottG wrote:
I took mine in before it started to misfire (didn't even throw any codes) but it was ticking. The tech claimed there was no damage to the cam...
I had three lifters going bad, none on the MDS cylinders.
It's been nearly 20K miles and it hasn't had any other failure.

Yep. If your diligent about your vehicle, then failure aren't that bad.

I took mine in before it started to misfire (didn't even throw any codes) but it was ticking. The tech claimed there was no damage to the cam...
I had three lifters going bad, none on the MDS cylinders.
It's been nearly 20K miles and it hasn't had any other failure.

ScottG wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"What's the official reason for the cam failures?"

Failure to use AMZ/OIL. :B

On my 6.4L the little "axles" in several of the roller lifters failed. It was a common failure mode and was fixed in 2016 engines.
Thankfully my repair was covered by warranty otherwise it would have been big bucks. It also took a month to get all the parts together (lifters were on back order and came from all over the country).

Lots of info on You Tube about the cam failures...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inPUz3pCHa0

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"What's the official reason for the cam failures?"

Failure to use AMZ/OIL. :B

On my 6.4L the little "axles" in several of the roller lifters failed. It was a common failure mode and was fixed in 2016 engines.
Thankfully my repair was covered by warranty otherwise it would have been big bucks. It also took a month to get all the parts together (lifters were on back order and came from all over the country).

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
Am looking very hard at a 19 Ram 6.4 gasser. Those currently using one with the new 8 speed, any problems? Love it? Hate it? What are you feeling?
The last of the leftovers are disappearing now, and I am looking at grabbing one for a 10k lb tt now and likely a 12-14k 5er in a year or so.

Several years ago I was driving a 45' motor coach on I-64 heading west toward Louisville. There was a pretty good sized 5th wheel being pulled by a Ram pickup and it was pretty much running the same speed that I was. I was thinking about how well that Cummins was moving that rig down the road. It took me about 25 miles before I could pull even with the pickup and the badge on the fender revealed that it had a 6.4 under the hood. It was having absolutely no problems getting that fiver down the road!

FishOnOne wrote:

dodge guy wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:
There aren't a lot of 8spds out yet with a lot of towing miles which is probably why OP isn't getting a lot of direct responses. From what I've read people are VERY happy with the combo, especially compared to the 6spd tranny. It really has upped the range that I'd consider using a gasser. 14K? That's definitely getting up there.

I recognize a lot of names on this thread that I'm sure know this but just to clarify for people that don't know - the 6spd tranny is a well known disaster. A total waste of a good engine. The gear ratios are borrowed from the diesel truck tranny and are just not good with gas. Someone mentioned stuck going 35mph - this is the crux of the problem. The 1-2 gap is a mile and the truck can't hold 2nd. Other problems are with shifting behavior - skipping 3rd, slamming into gears, holding gears to long, etc, etc. From what I've read, all of this is better with the new 8spd.

My $.02 for OP - I'd go up to 14K if I didn't plan to tow full time and/or in the hills a lot. I suppose you could also go 8spd and re-gear to a 4.56 or 4.88. Re-gearing with the old 6spd was a hot topic to try to help with the tranny problems. I'd have to think the new 8spd with higher numerical gears would be a beast. After all, 14K trailer and 8K truck (assuming some things in the truck) = 22K. That's nothing compared to what some of the gas engines are moving around in the class A coaches. Of course, the largest F53 chassis that the class A units are running on have gearing up over 5:1 (I'm thinking 5.13?).

While I don't have first hand towing knowledge, I do have first hand knowledge on the trucks being a Ram tech. Yes the 6 speed was a slug behind the 6.4, it would've been better with the 5 speed. Yes he 8 speed makes driving it exceptionally better. And I can relate to the wide ratio of 1st to 2nd. My Excursion with the V-10 and 3.73 gear behind a 4R100 was a pitiful performer. Even non towing the rpm drop was crazy. Hook up a trailer and it was like going from Ok in 1st to half throttle on the shift to second. Going to 4.30's helped immensely, but you could still feel the rpm drop.

The new 6.4 and 8speed is am amazing performer.

What's the official reason for the cam failures?

I can't say because I've only ever replaced one cam and a set of lifters on a 5.7. There is a 6.4 in the shop right now with a collapsed lifter, no cam or roller damage.

I can ask the same for the spark plug blowing Tritons, although mine never blew a plug. And I replaced them at 50k and 100k. And I never used a torque wrench.

It's all in who owns it and how it's maintained!

"What's the official reason for the cam failures?"

Failure to use AMZ/OIL. :B

dodge guy wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:
There aren't a lot of 8spds out yet with a lot of towing miles which is probably why OP isn't getting a lot of direct responses. From what I've read people are VERY happy with the combo, especially compared to the 6spd tranny. It really has upped the range that I'd consider using a gasser. 14K? That's definitely getting up there.

I recognize a lot of names on this thread that I'm sure know this but just to clarify for people that don't know - the 6spd tranny is a well known disaster. A total waste of a good engine. The gear ratios are borrowed from the diesel truck tranny and are just not good with gas. Someone mentioned stuck going 35mph - this is the crux of the problem. The 1-2 gap is a mile and the truck can't hold 2nd. Other problems are with shifting behavior - skipping 3rd, slamming into gears, holding gears to long, etc, etc. From what I've read, all of this is better with the new 8spd.

My $.02 for OP - I'd go up to 14K if I didn't plan to tow full time and/or in the hills a lot. I suppose you could also go 8spd and re-gear to a 4.56 or 4.88. Re-gearing with the old 6spd was a hot topic to try to help with the tranny problems. I'd have to think the new 8spd with higher numerical gears would be a beast. After all, 14K trailer and 8K truck (assuming some things in the truck) = 22K. That's nothing compared to what some of the gas engines are moving around in the class A coaches. Of course, the largest F53 chassis that the class A units are running on have gearing up over 5:1 (I'm thinking 5.13?).

While I don't have first hand towing knowledge, I do have first hand knowledge on the trucks being a Ram tech. Yes the 6 speed was a slug behind the 6.4, it would've been better with the 5 speed. Yes he 8 speed makes driving it exceptionally better. And I can relate to the wide ratio of 1st to 2nd. My Excursion with the V-10 and 3.73 gear behind a 4R100 was a pitiful performer. Even non towing the rpm drop was crazy. Hook up a trailer and it was like going from Ok in 1st to half throttle on the shift to second. Going to 4.30's helped immensely, but you could still feel the rpm drop.

The new 6.4 and 8speed is am amazing performer.

What's the official reason for the cam failures?

mtofell1 wrote:
There aren't a lot of 8spds out yet with a lot of towing miles which is probably why OP isn't getting a lot of direct responses. From what I've read people are VERY happy with the combo, especially compared to the 6spd tranny. It really has upped the range that I'd consider using a gasser. 14K? That's definitely getting up there.

I recognize a lot of names on this thread that I'm sure know this but just to clarify for people that don't know - the 6spd tranny is a well known disaster. A total waste of a good engine. The gear ratios are borrowed from the diesel truck tranny and are just not good with gas. Someone mentioned stuck going 35mph - this is the crux of the problem. The 1-2 gap is a mile and the truck can't hold 2nd. Other problems are with shifting behavior - skipping 3rd, slamming into gears, holding gears to long, etc, etc. From what I've read, all of this is better with the new 8spd.

My $.02 for OP - I'd go up to 14K if I didn't plan to tow full time and/or in the hills a lot. I suppose you could also go 8spd and re-gear to a 4.56 or 4.88. Re-gearing with the old 6spd was a hot topic to try to help with the tranny problems. I'd have to think the new 8spd with higher numerical gears would be a beast. After all, 14K trailer and 8K truck (assuming some things in the truck) = 22K. That's nothing compared to what some of the gas engines are moving around in the class A coaches. Of course, the largest F53 chassis that the class A units are running on have gearing up over 5:1 (I'm thinking 5.13?).

While I don't have first hand towing knowledge, I do have first hand knowledge on the trucks being a Ram tech. Yes the 6 speed was a slug behind the 6.4, it would've been better with the 5 speed. Yes he 8 speed makes driving it exceptionally better. And I can relate to the wide ratio of 1st to 2nd. My Excursion with the V-10 and 3.73 gear behind a 4R100 was a pitiful performer. Even non towing the rpm drop was crazy. Hook up a trailer and it was like going from Ok in 1st to half throttle on the shift to second. Going to 4.30's helped immensely, but you could still feel the rpm drop.

The new 6.4 and 8speed is am amazing performer.